The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1887-04-21

your coach. The storm oyertakes me;
| am buried in snow; mon cheUat flies;
| am rescued at the point of DEATH
But where is my lady, the divine mad
emoiselle?n said the artful French
man.
ssShe is in the next room, quite safe
and comfortable, | am informed. L
set out to bring her, as promised, for
your Christmas gift, Chanlieu, and it
seems l have done SO. | have said she
shall be yours, and she shall. The
gift has been disputed; but | know
what is for her own good. With you,
son of my heart, rank, fortune, honor
are hers. will never give her to an
artist, never. i"
But you give her to me!'' cried
Chanlieu, seeing that the hour was
unpropltious for pleading for his new
friend.
Yes. Go find her and commend
yourself to her."
Chanlieu returned to the lovers.
The grand pere is very opposed" :"
he said. He resolves no. But fate
brings you together, and | behold in
the other room what-you-call-a
cure, priest, an abbe-eh?'
.sOh, minister. My friend Taf-
ford said North.
Then why not have this kind cleric
marry you two at once, and make
peace with the father later? The
father, mademoiselle, has said to me,
i give her to you;' and now, at your
wish, | give you to my preserver, your
gallant lover. As l cannot crown my
life with the benediction OF your
beauty and graciousness, because your
heart has gone to another, let me give
your hand to the one you do choose.
My advice is, marry now. | make my
preserver this Christmas gift"
But | wish it could be my grand
father" said Sylvia, wistfuliy, when
this was arranged.
Half an hour later Judge Baird,
after much fatigue and much coffee,
was sound asleep in his chair; and
before Tafford, in hastily-donned sur
plice, stood the lovers and Chanlieu.
But at the words, ..Who giyeth this
woman to be married to this man?"
Mistress Damon interfered before
Chanlieu could speak. She took the
Judge by the arm and shouted in his
car:
Wake up-wake up! They are
asking, Who gives the bride?' "
The old gentleman sprang to his
feet, in sleepy possession of himself,
and rubbed his eyes,
There was the surpliced priest, and
before him Sylvia, and certainly Cham
lieu beside her.
'Who giveth this woman?" re-
peated Tailord, impressiveIy.
Il do" cried the Judge firmly.
The potent ceremony was soon
finished.
'North, my friend" said Tafford,
"accept my heartiest congratulations
Mrs. North, allow me to salute
you"
.'And me also," cried the count; II
felicitate you, mon preservair, on such
charming bride"
Judge Baird glared wildly about.
is the marriage over?"
'.All over, fast and sure" said Tai
ford, serenely.
''And Sylvia is married?"
''Yes, Sylvia is married." said Mrs.
Damon, with tears. But not to the
count"
''Why not to the count?n cried the
judge.
mo, my friend, my tutor, my
judge, she is not married to Chanlieu,"
said the count, his black eyes spark
ling, and his white teeth cleaning
from under his moustache in a sudden
smile. at is not to me she is mar
ried, because, like the father-in-law of
the strong man, Samson, you have
gave the lofay bride to be the wife of
my friendn'
The Judge gazed ferociously at the
quintet before him; but the charming
central figure, all sparkling tears and
rosy bushes, all joy and fear, melted
his wrath like snow before the sun.
80, madame" he began furiously,
'you have had your own way. But
and he softened visibly ly-'sit is
done, and we will not quarrel about
it. Come kiss your old grandfather.
Jars and disunion do not beft Christ
mas Eve"